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Dr. Robert Lowe Receives Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Congratulations go out to Dr. Robert Lowe, Professor of Educational Policy and Leadership, who was the recipient of this year's Marquette University Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr. Lowe's work speaks for itself. But, these words from Dean Henk serve to offer anyone unfamiliar a glimpse of his outstanding teaching career:

Bob Lowe is a special academic -- one whose pedigree reads Berkeley, Harvard and Stanford -- a nationally renowned educational historian, a marvelous human being, and most importantly in the spirit of tonight’s celebration, a truly extraordinary teacher.

From his first higher education teaching assignment at Mills College, a Historically Black institution, to the groundbreaking work he did in our own Educational Opportunity Program from 1976 to 1988, to his rise through the professorial ranks at National Louis University, to the past 14 years he’s toiled in the College of Education -- serving students ranging from freshmen to dissertation completers, Bob has taught with an abundance of knowledge, skill passion, care, science, and art.

Rather than share several of the numerous heartfelt, glowing testimonials from students and peers that populated his impressive dossier for this award, I’ll just bullet recurring themes.

An uncommon intellect

Extremely high standards

Endless scaffolding of student learning

A door that is always open

Generous and giving

An instructor who challenges, guides, and affirms

Extensive reading requirements

Penetrating discussions

Cultivating students of color and teachers to think of themselves as intellectuals

Respectful of all views that come from an informed place

Mentor / model / a true champion of social justice

The one quote I will share from among the scores essentially sums it up:

“He encourages students to think more deeply about issues of access, opportunity and equality in both our educational systems and society as a whole, while maintaining a patient, warm, and compassionate connection to his students.”

As you might imagine, we take teaching and learning very seriously in the College of Education, so it is fitting that a nominee of Bob’s caliber, character, and deservedness represents our breaking back into the winner’s circle.

Accordingly, in recognition of demonstrated ability to inspire students to seek the ideals of the University and to cause them to grow in knowledge and scholarship for the glory of God and the Good of humanity –

I give you my valued colleague and friend, the recipient of the Reverend John P. Raynor, S.J. Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Bob Lowe.